A BIRKENHEAD man has been banned from keeping animals after starving his dog to within two days of death in a “shameful and disgraceful” act of cruelty.

Robert Daniel Murphy was told he would have “most certainly” been sent to prison had his white American bulldog “Belle” not survived.

Murphy, of Dingle Road, admitted causing unnecessary suffering to Belle when he appeared before Wirral magistrates in December.

He was today sentenced to 16 weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months, and banned from keeping or owning animals for 10 years.

The court heard that the 27-year-old had failed to feed Belle correctly for at least two months between June 29 and August 29, 2014.

Chris Murphy, prosecuting on behalf of the RSPCA, told District Judge Michael Abelson how the defendant’s former girlfriend had taken the dog to the vets after it had collapsed on his couch.

He said: “The vet was so concerned about the condition of the dog that he immediately called the RSPCA.

“The dog was emaciated, weighing just 11.6kg, was dehydrated and was too weak to bare any weight.

“The vet was sure that the animal would have died within the next 24 to 48 hours if left alone.”

Magistrates heard how Robert Murphy had admitted ownership of the dog when interviewed by the RSPCA and said he had been working between 10 and 12 hours a day.

“He said he had the dog for two years from a puppy and had got himself into a state. He was also seeing his daughter in the evenings,” added Chris Murphy.

“He was unable to afford proper food things and car for the animal and said he started feeding him biscuits but it had choked.”

The court heard that Robert Murphy had “noticed the change” in the dog but said it had “always been skinny”.

He said the “stress of work” and the breakdown of his relationship had caught up with him.

Chris Murphy said: “He didn’t pay enough attention to the dog and accepted he should have done more or had the dog rehomed.”

During his first appearance, Robert Murphy said: “I had a lot on my plate at the time. I was doing volunteer work, trying to get myself back on the straight and narrow.”

Mr Abelson said: “When I see these sort of photographs of animals I wonder what sort of individual can treat animals like this. It’s shameful, disgraceful behaviour. People should never treat animals like this.”

Gerry Pachter, defending, said Robert Murphy was a recovering alcoholic who suffers with depression and deeply regrets his actions.

Since being taken into the RSPCA’s care, Belle has recovered well and has more than doubled her weight – with no treatment other than a “proper diet”.

Wirral Globe:
Belle was severely emaciated and weighed just 11.6kg when RSPCA Inspectors found her.

 Robert Murphy was also handed a 12 month community order with a supervision requirement, placed on a four month curfew and ordered to pay £881.30 costs to the RSPCA, which will be taken from his benefits.

Speaking after the hearing, RSPCA Inspector Joynes “It would have been blatantly obvious to Murphy that the dog was starving and was massively underweight.

“Belle is the skinniest dog I have ever seen alive in my career – she was literally on the brink of starvation which was a heartbreaking sight to see.

“Treating a dog in this way is completely unacceptable and people can expect to brought before the courts for it."

If you would like to help the RSPCA to continue to bring animal cruelty cases to court, you can text HELP59 to 70099 to give £3.